Relating back to one of my first posts, a while ago I was given a blank book. With clean space on every surface, it was fresh and beautiful. The instructions were simple; 1) Switch on brain. 2) Generate ideas. 3) Download as scribbles, doodles, whatever.

At first there was a rushing sense of freedom. The book sat on my desk, a small but powerful beacon of unrealised potential. So carefree, one day, I took up a pencil and decided to write whatever I could come up with.

And paused.

There was nothing there. No rules, no guidelines. I had nothing to say. This was a slightly depressing thought, and I put the pencil down feeling slightly the worse for it.

But more recently, I realised that I did have things to write. And that was the beginning of the ‘before thirty book’. It’s not a complex or new idea. Essentially, with the realisation that you need something to aim for in order to get anywhere, I’ve written down all the things I would like to achieve before I reach thirty, and what I’m doing to get there. However, they’re not goals for results – the usual suspects like getting married, or an Ivy League MBA, assuming I want those in the first place – so much as the experiences I want to have along the way. So far it includes a list of places to live in (2 months minimum), places to live in, getting my PADI licence and reading all of the Booker prize winners, amongst other things.

The rules are simple… Rule number one: Once written in, a goal must be achieved by thirty. Rule number two: Only I know the entire list, and only I have accountability for achieving them.

So as of today, I have exactly [x] years to achieve my goals.

Already the book charts a very turbulent journey, and I don’t expect it to get any easier. What I do expect is that like the economy, despite the short-term ups and downs in the long-term there will always be growth.